... The Fabulous Rock, Rock. Rock Show Torquay To pack the English Riviera Centre is a feat in itself and seldom, if ever, have I seen a standing ovation at the end of a performance. But that is exactly what was achieved by the cast of The Fabulous Rock, Rock, Rock Show. Conceived and produced by Anne George of Trevor George Entertainments UK, this is a scintillating, fast-moving show that will ...

... John Shenley The Coach Stop The toast of Memphis came home as he rocked his enthusiastic audience at The Coach Stop, North Finchley. Jonn snenley, whose real name is John Incenzo, began rocking as a spotty-faced teenager, and over the years has worked with the best of them including being a regular member of the backing band for PJ Proby. After just completing a suc cessful three-month stint ...

... A passionate fascination Jermyn Street Theatre Adieu Jacques At the beginning of his one-man show about the French composer Jacques Brel, Noel Harrison suggests that one of the main reasons he is back on the London stage after an absence of 30 years is because of a dream. Some time ago, when Harrison had cut himself off from the showbusiness world, and was living in Nova Scotia, he dreamt ...

... Blue Sunday Brentford In a cost-cutting exercise, this year's London Blues Festival was in the condensed form of a day of blues by the river, consisting of four American and two British acts. The event got off to a flying start with the solid sounding Mighty 45s offering an imagina tive portion of contemporary powerhouse blues music. New York-bom Steve James, a man who travelled extensively ...

... Martyn Wyndham-Read and Friends Tunbridge Wells For any lover of vocal folk music, this was a real treat at the Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre. From the very first notes it was clear that Martyn Wyndham-Read was on top form--his rich, powerful voice filled with emotion. Many of the songs were col lected in Australia, a country he first visited back in the early six ties. He worked on a sheep ...

... Pride of the Valley Kilmamock At this Palace presentation, the popularity of a Scottish show was thrown into high relief. Pride of the Valley opened to a near-packed house at exactly the time the streets outside the theatre were lined with thousands of townsfolk awaiting the imminent homecoming of Kilmamock Football Club, which had just won the Scottish Cup. Joe Gordon and Sally Logan ...

... All happy with a sensible show Blackpool It's a Cracker You've heard them all before but I do them better, Frank Carson tells his audience, which would beat him to half the punchlines if he was not so fast. Every performance is virtually a greatest hits routine, with just a smattering of newer gags along the way from this master of the art of stand-up. In North Pier's early season It's a ...

... Variety Spectacular Cardiff Clubland entertainer Reg John, who died in April, became extremely popular working in concert parties in the good old days of variety he loved so much. So it was most appropriate that the spotlight was on variety during a sell-out charity gala in his ory, organised by Frankie and June Bois at Canton Liberal Club. After a lively opening from the lavishly-costumed ...

... Ruthie gets into her stride Royal Festival Hall Ruthie Henshall There are not many young British show singers who could win a standing ovation from a packed Royal Festival Hall crowd, but Ruthie Henshall appears to have captured the public's imagination. A large majority of performers who have starred in shows such as Cats, Miss Saigon and Les Miserables would be unlikely to enjoy a great deal ...

... Septet Brighton Commissioned by the Brighton Festival, Gandini Juggling Project's world premiere raises the profile of this mesmeric artform. Staged in the informal atmosphere of the Corn Exchange in the Dome complex, the show has an eclectic appeal. ine lasi ume i saw oean Gandini perform was memorable. Now, after four years of devising and development with his comp any of top performers Ben ...

... Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas Bradford/Touring Fans of the sixties sounds converged upon the ballroom of the Pennington Midland Hotel in large numbers for a rare occasion, with the visit of Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas. They got a treat of sixties music--although the amplification was far too high for the size of the venue and a chance to see, hear and meet a leg endary figure in the ...

... No copying, just good music Purcell Room Oscar Meets Ella Mike Hatchard is one of those infuriatingly multi-talented individuals who I have always felt has yet to find the right vehicle for his talents. However, the format for this show may be just right, as it allows him to integrate his prowess as a jazz pianist. teur, humorist and musical buffoon comfortably. As he explains at the begin ...